The US Air Force’s MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters completed their first operational intercontinental ballistic missile convoy security mission Jan 8, escorting a Minuteman III ICBM convoy in Montana as part of efforts to modernize nuclear security operations.
MH-139 Escorts Minuteman III Convoy
Two MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters assigned to the 40th Helicopter Squadron supported a six-hour convoy movement more than 100 miles east of Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The aircraft provided aerial escort for missile maintenance and armored security vehicles without needing to refuel, demonstrating increased range and endurance over the legacy UH-1N Huey fleet.
Commanders described the operation as a key milestone in Air Force Global Strike Command’s effort to modernize the land-based leg of the US nuclear deterrent. The Grey Wolf offers higher speed, greater troop capacity, and enhanced defensive systems compared to the Vietnam-era Huey.
Operational Impact and Testing Path
The convoy mission adds to a series of tests and evaluations that have advanced the MH-139 into operational use. Earlier Initial Operational Test and Evaluation flights focused on convoy support and emergency response tasks such as launch facility recapture and recovery.
In mid-2025 the 582nd Helicopter Group completed a broader IOT&E campaign that demonstrated the Grey Wolf’s performance across multiple mission sets, including aerial gunnery and full-scale convoy operations.
What This Means for Nuclear Security
Air Force leaders say the Grey Wolf strengthens nuclear security by allowing faster response times and improved aerial coordination with ground security forces across missile fields that span thousands of square miles.
The transition away from the UH-1N Huey to the MH-139 reflects long-term modernization of organic missile field security capabilities and supports sustainment of the US ICBM force.
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